Corrosion behavior of Mg wires for ureteral stent in artificial urine solution

Ureteral stents are a relatively new potential application for biodegradable Mg alloys. In this study, the corrosion behavior of Mg-1Zn wires and pure Mg wires in artificial urine solution (AUS) is investigated. It is found that AUS possesses a strong pH buffer effect. Hydrogen evolution measurement cannot be used for Mg corrosion test in this AUS due to the oxygen scavenging effect of sulfite, which is a component of AUS. The corrosion products consist of two layers, MgNH4PO4.6H2O and Mg(OH)2. The partially protective MgNH4PO4.6H2O slows down the Mg corrosion, but it indicates the encrustation risk on bare Mg-based ureteral stents.

Automated summary

Artificial urine solution (AUS) has a strong pH buffer effect, rendering hydrogen evolution measurement inappropriate for Mg corrosion testing in AUS due to the oxygen scavenging effect of sulfite. The corrosion products of Mg in AUS consist of two layers, MgNH4PO4.6H2O and Mg(OH)2, with the partially protective MgNH4PO4.6H2O layer slowing down Mg corrosion while posing an encrustation risk on bare Mg-based ureteral stents.